Electric switch



Jan. 24, 1928. 1,657,001

G. L- CRAGG ELECTRIC SWITCH Filed Jan. 24. 1927 2 Shun-Shut 1 fag Jan. 24, 1928.

e. L. CRAGG ELECTRIC SWITCH Filed Jan. 24, 1927 2 Sheets-Shut 2 Patented Jan. 24, 1928.

UNITED sTATEs 1,657,001 PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE L. CRAGG, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO HARRY A. DOUGLAS, 0]

' BRONSON, MICHIGAN.

ELECTRIC SWITCH.

Application filed January 24, 1927. Serial No. 163,145.

My invention relates to electric current conducting winding elements and to circuit controlling switches in electrical association therewith.

The invention finds particular utility in connection with spark producing circuit systems employed for producing sparks in cylinders of internal combustion engines that are employed in the'power plants of automobiles or other automotive vehicles. The invention has for its general object the provision of an improved assembly of the winding elements, the cores of such elements, and

the associated switches whereby the switches and the circuit terminals thereat are guarded from unwarranted access and the combined structures are simplified and occupy lessspace than hitherto.

In carrying out my invention the Winding element is provided with a magnetizable core, the switch being preferably abreast of the core on one side thereof and the switch actuatin means, which is preferably a locking mec anism, being upon the other side of the core and preferably also abreast thereof and operatively connected with the switch by a lever which extends across the core. The winding element is desirably continued into the zone occupied by the switch and the lockin mechanism. The spacing thatcontains t e switch and locking mechanism is closed by an end plate or wall which is applied to the adjacent end of the winding element to constitute with the winding element a casing which effectively protects the switch and locking mechanism. In the preferred embodiment of the invention the locking mechanism is key operated, the key constituting an operating handle which is engageable upon the exterior of the casing.

The invention will be more fully explained 4 in connection with the accompanying drawings in whichFig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of one embodiment thereof; Fig. 2 is a sectional view of a part of the structure on line 22 of Fig. 1: Fig. 3 is a sectional view on line 3-3 of Fig.1; Fig. 4 is a sect-ional view on line 4-4 of Fig. 1, on a smaller-scale; Fig. 5 is a front view illustrating a portion of the dash board or other mounting and the structure ofmy invention in assembly therewith; Fig. 6 is a perspective view with portions broken away of parts of the structure, oneof which is separated from the remainder; Fig. 7 is a perspective upon the inner ends of the metallic spring view of a locking mechanism and a switch lever arm controlled thereby; and Fig. 8 is a diagram of one ignition circuit that may be employed, the invention not being limited, however, to any particular ignition circuit.

The hollow current conducting element illustrated is inclusive of a generally cylindrical and tubular primary winding 1 and a generally cylindrical and tubular secondary winding 2 of a so-called induction coil. The primary winding has-one terminal grounded through a battery 3 and has another ter-' minal connected by a metallic binding screw 4- with a metallic contact sleeve 5, which is carried by and passes through a normally stationary insulating disc section or block 6 whose curved side is coaxial with the winding element 1, 2 and whichrdisc is surround ed by the secondary thereof, in this instance. Another metallic contact sleeve 7 is carried 75 by said disc section or block 6, this contact sleeve receiving a conductor clamping metallic screw 8. The screws 4 and 8 are upon the rear face of the disc section or block 6 which is made hollow to receive them and'the wire ends connected therewith, the contact sleeves 5 and 7 passing through the disc section or block to be engageable at its front face, and by the adjacent contacts that are formed barrels 9 and 10 which are mounted upon and electrically connected by the floating metallic bridging bar 11. Springs 14 in said spring barrels press the plungers 15, 16 forwardly against the contact actuating bar 17 that is formed of insulation, said spring barrels being slidably received in recesses formed in bar 17, said plungers engaging the bottoms of said recesses. As will hereinafter appear, the contact actuating bar 17 is adapted to be turned by a key 18 that acts as a separable handle to bring the bridging bar 11 and the contacts thereon into and out of engagement with the contacts 5 and 7. The screw 8 connects the conductor 19 with the contact 7, this conductor extending to the circuit breaker 20 which operates in a manner so well understood as to require no specific description. The circuit breaker contacts are shunted by a condenser 21. The secondary winding 2 is grounded at one terminal and has its other terminal connected with the travelling contact member of a distributor 22 whose. waiting contacts are connected with the spark plugs 23 in the various cylinders of an internal combustion engine in a manner well understood. 'Other ignition circuits may be employed.

The winding element 1, 2 is disposed about a central magnetizable core portion of T shape having a stem 24: that is snugly received within the bore of the primary 1 and a head 25 that is disposed in an enlargement of the bore of the secondary 2. The

straight side of the block 6 is held against one face of the T head 25 and the curved side of this block is snugly received within the insulating lining 26 upon the interior of the secondary 2, the block 6 and the contacts 5 and 7 thereon being thus held in fixed relation with the winding element within the bore thereof and in fixed relation with the core. A liner of insulation 27 adjacent the forward end of the primary 1 closes the hollow back of the block 6 to guard the screws4 and 8 from improper connection.

The switch arm or lever 28 carries the insulating block 17 and extends across the outer face of the core head 25, this arm being then'deflected inwardly, as indicated at 29,"

" This tumbler barrel is mounted to turn In a shell or sleeve 34 which is slotted on its opposite sides, as indicated at 35, to receive the tumblers 36 when the key 18 is withdrawn. When the ignition circuit is to be closed, the key is inserted to withdraw the tumblers from the slots 35 whereafter the tumbler barrel is turned to close the primary circuit of the ignition system, as indicated in Fig. 8. When the tumbler barrel is turned, the tumblers are brought into line with the shell 34 so that the key can not then be withdrawn. When the -ignition circu1t is to be opened, the key is turned to bring thetumb'lers into register with said slots whereafter the key is withdrawn to permit the tumblers to enter the slots to lock the'ignition circuit 0 en. The portion 29 0f the switch arm is of lilunt V formation and is so located as to have one of its sloping faces or the other engageable with the core head 25 that serves to limit the throw of the switch arm to positively locate it in an ignition circuit opening or an ignition circuit *closing position.

The winding element extends into the zone which contains the switching mechanism, the locking structure and the core head 25. Hitherto, the core or winding element, the switching mechanism and the locking structure have been in tandem, thereby considerably increasing the overall length of the equipment. By arranging the locking mechanism and the switching mechanism abreast preferred embodiment of the invention the winding element is surrounded by a cylindrical sheath or shell 38 with which the end wall 37 is assembled by means of a cap plate] 39 which is formed with the'annular groove that receives the peripheral edge of the end wall 37 and the flange 40 on the shell 38. The locking shell or sleeve 34 is formed with a shoulder 41 which is received between the end wall 37 and the cap plate 39 and which is suitably secured to hold it in fixed relation to this wall and cap plate. The reduced outer end of a tumbler barrel 33 is passed throughan opening in the cap plate 39. The end wall 37 and the cap plate 39 are slightly dished, as shown in Fig. 1, the dished portions of these elements being received in an opening in the mounting plate 42 to WlllCll the outfit is secured by means of the bolts 4.3.

Changes may be made without departing from the invention.

Having thusdescribed my invention, I claim:

1. The combination with a current conducting winding element; of a circuit controlling switch'in electrical association with said winding element; and a locking structure in controlling relation to the switch, said locking structure and switch being located abreast and within. said winding element.

2. The combination with a current conducting winding element having a magnetizable core; of a circuit controlling switch in electrical association with said winding element; and a locking structure in controlling relation to the switch, saidlocking structure and switch being located within the winding element and on opposite sides of said core.

3. The combination with a current conducting winding element havin a magnetizable core; of a circuit contro ling switch in electrical'associationwith said winding element; and a locking structure in controlling relation to the switch, said locking structure and switch being located within the winding element and abreast of said core.

4. The combination with a current conducting winding element having a magnetizable core; of a circuit controllin switch in ment; and a locking structure in controlling relation to the switch, said locking structure being located within the winding element and abreast of said core.

5. The combination with a current conducting winding element having a magnetizable core; of a circuit controlling switch in electrical association with said winding element; and a locking structure in controlling relation to the switch, said locking structure and switch being located on opposite sides of said core.

6. The combination with a current conducting winding element having a magnetizable core; of a circuit controlling switch in electrical association with said winding element; and a locking structure in controlling relation to the switch, said locking structure and switch being located within the winding element and on opposite sides of said core, said switchincluding a contact arm extending across the adjacent end of the core and coupled with the locking structure to be operable thereby.

7. The combination with a current conducting winding element having a magnetizable core; of a circuit controlling switch in electrical association with said winding element; and a locking structure in controlling relation to the switch, said locking structure and switch being located within the winding element and abreast of said core, said switch including a contact arm extending across the adjacent end of the core and coupled with the locking structure to be operable thereby.

8. The combination with a current conducting winding element having a magnetizable core; of a. circuit controlling switch in electrical association with said wmding ele-.-

ment; and a locking structure in controlling relation to the switch, said locking structure being located within the winding element and abreast of said core, said switch including a contact arm extending across the adjacent end of the core and coupled with the locking structure to be operable thereby.

9. The combination with a current conducting winding element having a magnetizable core; of a circuit controlling switch in electrical association with said winding element; and a locking structure in controlling relation to the switch, said locking structure and switch being located on opposite sides of said core, said switch including a contact arm extending across the adjacent end of the core and coupled with the locking structure to be operable thereby.

10. The combination with a current conducting winding element having a magnetizable core; of a circuit controllingswitch in electrical association with said WlIldlDg element; and a locking structure in controlling relation to the switch, said locking structure and switch being located abreast of said core, said switch including a contact arm extending across the adjacent end of the core and coupled with the locking structure to be operable thereby.

11. The combination with a current conducting winding element having a magnetizable core; of a circuit controlling switch in electrical association with and located within said Winding element'; and'a locking struc-' ture in controlling relation to the switch, said locking structu're being located within the winding element and abreast of 7 said core.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name.

GEORGE n. once: 

